Graphic Designer

$39,000 - $66,000/Yr

The Nature Conservancy - Santa Fe, NM

Full-time - Mid Level

Santa Fe, NM

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations

About the position

The Graphic Designer at The Nature Conservancy (TNC) plays a crucial role in managing and executing the organization's brand identity system. This position involves working closely with the Midwest storytelling team to apply TNC's brand identity and visual vocabulary across various creative projects. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on creative thinker, capable of defining and executing an artistic vision from start to finish. The Graphic Designer will also contribute to other creative initiatives, ensuring that all designs are smart, thoughtful, and compelling, reflecting the mission and values of TNC. In this role, the Graphic Designer will be responsible for designing, directing, researching, and managing graphics, layouts, and art production. They will develop and maintain the Conservancy's brand visual vocabulary while meeting frequent photography, production, and copy deadlines. The position requires organizing, managing, and coordinating diverse projects and activities, often with many variables. The Graphic Designer will coordinate the work of peers on departmental project teams and may supervise volunteers, interns, contractors, or temporary staff. They will work within a budget to complete projects and perform duties under general supervision and established guidelines, with the opportunity to act independently on assigned tasks. The Graphic Designer will also be expected to clearly and effectively present their work, communicate their vision, and negotiate feedback with project stakeholders. This position may require occasional travel, emphasizing the need for flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic work environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage and execute the Conservancy's brand identity system.
• Design smart, thoughtful, and compelling concepts for all aspects of the organization.
• Design, direct, research, and manage graphics, layouts, and art production.
• Develop and maintain the Conservancy's brand visual vocabulary.
• Meet frequent photography, production, and copy deadlines.
• Organize, manage, and coordinate diverse projects and activities with many variables.
• Coordinate the work of peers on departmental project teams.
• Supervise volunteers, interns, contractors, or temporary staff as needed.
• Work within a budget to complete projects.
• Perform duties under general supervision and established guidelines.
• Act independently on assigned tasks and projects.
• Present work clearly and effectively, communicate vision, and negotiate feedback with project stakeholders.

Requirements

• 5 years of experience in a design studio, agency, or in-house creative department.
• Experience preparing files for production, marking up color for correction, and reviewing proofs.
• Portfolio demonstrating a sophisticated, conceptual design sensibility and a strong sense of typography.
• Strong, modern approach to typography and design for both print and digital.
• Strong awareness of current design trends, photographers, and illustrators.
• High level of design sophistication and meticulous attention to detail.
• Keen eye for photography and illustration and exceptional typography skills.
• Experience in designing for the Web and a basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Ability to translate print graphics to web, and vice versa.
• Expert-level knowledge of Adobe CC.
• Strong familiarity with print production.
• Independent and well organized with a blend of technical and conceptual skills.
• Ability to thrive in an energetic environment and make judgment calls tactfully.
• Understanding of motion graphics or video editing is a major plus.
• Experience with presentation software such as PowerPoint and Keynote.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team-based environment with internal and external partners.
• Ability to conceive and write creatively for various audiences from technical information.
• Practical knowledge of marketing and branding principles.
• Experience presenting and articulating design solutions to clients.
• Multi-lingual skills appreciated.
• Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience preferred.

Nice-to-haves

• Understanding of motion graphics or video editing.
• Multi-lingual skills appreciated.
• Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience preferred.